Laurel Tavern

Parking: On Site, Street Parking Difficult, Valet
People Watching, Romantic, After Hours, Late Night, Specialty Cocktails Singles, Cozy, Bar Scene, Trendy Moderately noisy 21+ Jukebox, Wheelchair Accessible

Formerly the Sapphire, Will Shamlian's newest venture is ready for its closeup. Shamlian, who owns bars such as Daddy's, 4100 Bar and The Chalet, knows how to design a small space. Laurel Tavern is intimate, yet elegant. His concept this time around is a "contemporary American pub." That translates to a cozy, New York style bar with exposed brick, wooden floors salvaged from a 1920s Nebraska industrial warehouse and quality burgers and fries done "the right way," per Shamlian. 

Call it a gastropub if you want to, but the Laurel Tavern is really just a breezy bar that will pull in sexy, sophisticated singles from both sides of the hill all year around. Make no mistake; this bar is markedly different than what Sapphire was. Owners spent months redoing the space to transform the room entirely. Wood ceilings, spiral exposed aluminum ducting, windows that open up onto Ventura Blvd. and blue chairs that look like something out of a middle school cafeteria circa 1950 all conspire to make the experience here a classic. 

Don't expect  to hear dance music here, rather, think the Killers or Tom Petty. Two flat-screen TVs behind the modern-looking bar mean you won't miss the game, but this is not by any means a sports bar. Instead, this is the place to snag a nice microbrew (think Hollywood Blonde or Craftsman IPA) and a burger (or perhaps a pork belly skewer with a spicy maple glaze) when meeting with friends. Sometimes, simplicity is best, and Laurel Tavern looks destined to become a classic.  A few tables may be placed out front, the owners hint, if they can secure a permit for up to 20 people.

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